Samsung May Have a Folding Smartphone-Tablet Hybrid on the Way

Can Samsung succeed with a folding design where the Sony Tablet P didn’t?

If you like the idea of the Samsung Galaxy Note but wish it was twice as big and foldable, then it seems that Samsung is working on just such a thing.

A new patent application shows a Samsung mobile that folds out into a tablet configuration to give more screen space, though of course it’s still technically a dual-screen device rather than anything more high-tech, like flexible e-paper.

The display would be able to show two separate screens of information or one page divided over the fold, magazine style. It’s also reminiscent of the Nintendo DS and Sony Tablet P.

The Samsung version shows a stylus and pointer type of device that comes out from the hinge area.

Potential drawbacks include the fact that not many mobile apps support dual or folding screen operation, which was one of the (numerous) issues affecting the Sony P device, leading to lukewarm reviews.

It remains to be seen whether Samsung can crack this problem by working with developers, or simply by making this unusual form factor popular enough so that more apps are made with it in mind.

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